Glee star Cory Monteith's dad upset over his cremation

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CORY Monteith's estranged father has been left devastated after learning the actor's remains were cremated yesterday before he had a chance to pay his last respects to his dead son.

Monteith's mother, brother and girlfriend Lea Michele staged a private viewing and farewell in Vancouver a day after the British Columbia coroner wrapped up an autopsy on the Glee star's body - and his father wasn't invited.

"I have never lost a friend. In this difficult time, I am leaning on all of the wonderful memories we shared with Cory, how many ways he was able to make us smile," she said in a statement. "He was one of the most generous and kind people that I have ever met. He had a smart, curious mind, he was an enormous talent. He was loving to not only me but my family."

Agron also offered her condolences to his loved ones, including Michele.

"My heart goes out to his family, to Lea, to everyone that is struggling with the loss of our friend. We will miss you Cory. We will always carry a piece of you with us."

Yesterday police officials in Vancouver issued a red alert warning to drug users in the city about the potency of heroin on the local market following a spike in overdoses.

Autopsy and toxicology test results have confirmed the cause of Monteith's death was an accidental overdose.

Officers claim they had detected the presence of fentanyl, which is used to treat cancer-related pain, in recent supplies of heroin, which causes increased potency.

But it was not clear whether or nor police think the batch of heroin Monteith took was laced with fentanyl.